Roller skate structure



y 1966 e. K. WARE FULLER SKATE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1965 Gram M15. 2%;2

y 1966 G. K. WARE 3,250,544

ROLLER SKATE S TRUCTURE Filed March 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 94 i A Jaye/22$? 4/ Gnafowfl Mkwe n" I M 90 United States Patent Ofiice 3,250,544 RGLLER SKATE STRUCTURE Gordon K. Ware, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Chicago Roller Skate Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 441,070 8 Claims. (Cl. 280-1L2) This is a continuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. 311,735 filed on September 26, 1963, and now abandoned. The present invention relates to a novel skate structure and more specifically to a novel roller skate structure.

As is well known, rink type roller skates include a sole plate to which a shoe is secured. Means are provided on the sole plate for mounting wheel trucks. In addition, such sk-ate structures frequently include a toe stop member mounted on the sole plate or on a bracket secured to the sole plate or the forward wheel truck. Heretofore, the sole plates for such skate structures have usually been made of a metal casting which, while providing the desired strength and rigidity, is relatively heavy and costly.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel skate structure which is relatively economical to manufacture and is of reduced weight.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a skate structure having novel sole plate means formed from a lightweight economical sheet metal stamping while at the same time having sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the high stresses and impact loads to which the skate structure may be subjected.

' Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a skate structure incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the skate structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a novel sole plate constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 2; I

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the novel sole plate of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 7.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a skate structure 10 incorporating features of the present invention comprises a one-piece stamped sheet metal sole plate 12 which will be described more in detail hereinbelow. Bracket members 14 and 16 are respectively secured to lower surfaces of forward and rear portions of the sole plates by a plurality of rivets 18. Wheel assemblies 20 and 22 are respectively associ ated with the bracket members 14 and 16.

The wheel assemblies 28 and 22 are of substantially identical and known construction and each includes a bracket 24 for receiving an axle 26 adapted to mount wheels 28 and 30. In addition the bracket 24 includes a rearwardly extending portion 32 through which an action screw 34 extends and on which a cushion 36 of rubber or the like is disposed. The bracket 24 further includes an upwardly extending brace or arm 38.

3,250,544 Patented May 10, 1966 Each of the mounting brackets 14 and 16 includes a boss 40 having an aperture 42 therein which is threaded or otherwise adapted to receive and retain an upper end portion of an associated action screw 34. In addition each of the mounting brackets has a second boss 44 formed with a recess or seat 46 as shown best in FIG. 4 for accommodating a rounded or ball tip provided on the end of an associated brace or arm 38 of the wheel truck assembly. I

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sole plate 12 includes an elongated flat body member 48 which is stamped from strip or sheet steel of substantially uniform thickness throughout. In order to resist flexingof intermediate portions of the sole plate body 48, the skate structure includes a tension accommodating connecting strap 50 preferably formed from sheet steel and having opposite ends connected by rivets 52 and 54 with the mounting brackets 14 and 16 and an intermediate portion connected with the sole plate body member by a rivet 56. The rivet 56 is formed with a shoulder 58 for maintaining the mid portion of the strap 50 in fixed spaced relationship with respect to the lower surface of the sole plate. "In addition the skate structure includes an arched brace preferably stamped from sheet steel and having opposite ends connected with the mounting brackets and the wheel truck assemblies by the action screws. As shown in FIG. 1 the mid portion of the brace 60 abuts the strap 50 and is fixed with respect thereto by the rivet 56.

A toe stop member 62 formed from rubber or other suitable fniction material is disposed at the forward end of the skate structure and the sole plate is formed with integral means for supporting the toe stop member. More specifically, the one-piece stamped sheet metal sole plate 12 is formed with a section 64 integrally joining the main body portion 48 along a transversely extending bend line 66. The section 64 extends downwardly and forwardly from the bend line 66 and integrally joins a second section 68 along a bend line 70 which is substantially parallel to the bend line 66. The sect-ion 68 is inclined upwardly and forwardly from the bend line 70 and is disposed substantially at right angles to the section 64 for presenting an inclined and downwardly facing abutment surface 72.

The toe stop member 62 has its upper end 74 positioned against the abutment surface 72 and a bolt 76 extends through the toe stop member and an aperture 78 in the section 68 and cooperates with a complementary nut 80 for securing the toe stop member against the section 68.

As will be understood, during a braking operation, a skater tilts the skate structure sufiiciently so that the stop member 62 engages the floor. In many instances only a side portion of the toe stop member is engaged against the floor so that there is a tendency for the stop member to rotate about the bolt 76. A rib or detent 82 is embossed downwardly from the sole plate section 68 for interlocking engagement with one of a plurality of grooves 84- formed in the upper end of the toe stop member and preventing rotation of the stop member.

It is important to note that ribs 86 and 88 are embossed downwardly in the sole plate body member 48 and the section 64 in a manner such that they traverse the bend line 66. In addition a rib 90 is embossed upwardly in the sections 64 and 68 and traverses the bend line 70. These ribs effectively provide struts traversing the bend lines so as to support the sections 64 and 68 in fixed angular relationship with respect to each other and to the body member 48 even under the stresses and loads ward portion of -the sole plate body member 48. These flanges extend from the bend line 66 rearwardly past apertures 96 and 938 which are formed in the sole plate and are adapted to receive rivets for securing the sole plate to the shoe, not shown, of the skate. The flanges 92 and 94 extend rearwardly to point adjacent the boss 40 of the mounting bracket 14 and function to prevent bending of the forward portion of the sole plate body 48 during a skating operation. Preferably the flanges 92 and 94 are formed so that they progressively increase in length or downward extent toward the forward end of the sole plate member for providing progressively increased resistance to bending. However, this downward length preferably has a maximum of about twice the thickness of the sole plate sheet or strip material.

In FIGS. 6 through 10 there is shown a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the structure described above as shown by application of identical reference numerals with the suflix a added to corresponding elements. This embodiment differs in that the ribs 86a and 83a are extended downwardly in section 64a and the rib 90a is extended upwardly so that end portions of the ribs overlap each other as shown. This arrangement resists any tendency for the section 64a to bend adjacent the mid portion thereof under the stresses imposed thereon during a braking operation. In addition the flanges 92a and 94a are extended rearwardly at least to a point behind the action screw of the front wheel truck, which point corresponds generally to the location of the ball of the foot of a skater Wearing the skate.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 10 further differs slightly in that it includes an element 50a in the form of a channel member secured between the mounting brackets of the front and rear wheel trucks by fasteners 52a and 54a. The channel member has upstanding flanges 100 and 102 abutting the under surface of the sole plate 48a for strengthening and rigidifying the central portion of the skate structure without any substantial increase in weight or cost.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein it is obvious that many structural details may be changed Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A roller skate structure comprising a one-piece stamped sheet metal sole plate having an elongated horizontal body member including an elongated forward portion and an elongated rear portion of substantially uniform thickness throughout, front and rear wheel truck hanger brackets secured to lower surfaces of said front and rear portions of said sole plate body member, brace means extending between said brackets and including an arched sheet metal member, wheel truck assemblies including action screws respectively connected to said front and rear brackets, said'sole plate including a first section integrally joining a forward end of said sole plate body member along a first transverse bend line and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and a second section integrally joining a lower end of said first section along a second bend line substantially parallel to said first bend line and inclined upwardly and forwardly therefrom for presenting a downwardly and forwardly facing surface, downwardly embossed rib means formed in said body member and in said first section and traversing said first bend line, upwardly embossed rib means in said first and second sections and traversing said second bend line, a toe stop member abutting said surface of said second section, means releasably securing said toe stop member to said second section, said front mounting bracket including a downwardly facing boss having aperture means therein receiving the action screw of one of said wheel truck assemblies, said boss being spaced substantially rearwardly from said first bend line, said sole plate body member having aperture means therethrough lo- 4. cated bet-ween said first bend line and said boss for accommodating fastening devices for securing a shoe or the like to said sole plate, and said sole plate including depending flanges integral with opposite side edges of said forward portion of said body member and extending from immediately adjacent said first bend line rearwardly beyond said aperture means to points adjacent said boss and terminating short of the rear end of the body member.

2. A roller skate structure, as defined in claim 1, which includes additional downwardly embossed rib means in said second section, and said toe stop member including groove means receiving said last mentioned rib means for resisting rotation of the toe stop member.

3. In a roller skate structure, a one-piece stamped sheet metal sole plate having an elongated horizontal body member and including an elongated forward end portion and an elongated trailing end portion of substantially uniform thickness throughout, said sole plate including a first section integrally joining a forward end of said body member along a first transverse bend line and inclined downwardly and forwardly therefrom and a second section integrally joining a lower end of said first section along a second bend line substantially parallel to said first bend line and inclined upwardly and forwardly for presenting a downwardly and forwardly facing surface for accommodating a toe'stop member, rib means embossed downwardly in said body member and said first section and traversing said first bend line, additional rib means embossed upwardly in said first and second sections and traversing said second bend line, short depending flanges respectively integral With opposite side edges of said forward end portion of said body member and extending rearwardly from adjacent said first bend line and terminating short of said trailing end portion, said body member including first aperture means in said forward end portion for accommodating first fastening devices for securing a front wheel truck mounting bracket having an action screw accommodating boss to a lower side of said forward end portion of the body member with said boss spaced at a location substantially rearwardly from said first bend line, said body member including additional aperture means disposed betweensaid location and said first bend line for accommodating additional fastening devices for securing a shoe to said sole plate, and said flanges extending rearwardly past said additional aperture means to points adjacent said location of the boss.

4. A sole plate, as defined in claim 3, which includes additional rib means embossed downwardly from said second section and interengageable with a toe stop member when the toe stop member is assembled with the sole plate for resisting rotation of the toe stop member.

5. A sole plate, as defined in claim 3, wherein said second section extends substantially at right angles with respect to said first section.

6. A sole plate, as defined in claim 3, wherein said first mentioned rib means and said additional rib means extend in overlapping relationship in said first section.

7. A sole plate, as defined in claim 3, wherein said flanges extend to points rearwardly of said location of the boss. I

8. A roller skate structure comprising a one-piece stamped sheet metal sole plate having an elongated horizontal body member including an elongated forward portion and an elongated rear portion of substantially uniform thickness throughout, front and rear wheel truck hanger brackets secured to lower'surfaces of said front and rear portions of said sole plate body member in spaced apart relationship, a sheet metal channel member secured between said brackets and including upstanding flange sections substantially abutting an under side of said sole plate body member, wheel truck assemblies including action screws respectively connected to said front and rear brackets, said sole plate including a first section integrally joining a forward end of said sole plate body member along a first transverse bend line and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom and a second section integrally joining a lower end of said first section along a second bend line substantially parallel to said first bend line and inclined upwardly and forwardly therefrom for presenting a downwardly and forwardly facing surface, downwardly embossed rib means formed in said body member and in said first section and traversing said first bend line, upwardly embossed rib means in said first and second sections and traversing aid second bend line, a toe stop member abutting said surface of said second section, means releasably securing said toe stop member to said second section, said front mounting bracket including a downwardly facing 'boss having aperture means therein receiving the action screw of one of said wheel truck assemblies,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,218,209 10/ 1940 Marshall 280--11.19 2,706,641 4/ 1955 Van Horn 280-112 3,009,709 11/1961 Ware 28011.2 3,035,846 5/1962 Asad 28011.2

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

MILTON L. SMITH, Examiner. 

1. A ROLLER SKATE STRUCTURE COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE STAMPED SHEET METAL SOLE PLATE HAVING AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL BODY MEMBER INCLUDING AN ELONGATED FORWARD PORTION AND AN ELONGATED REAR PORTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM THICKNESS THROUGHOUT, FRONT AND REAR WHEEL TRUCK HANGER BRACKETS SECURED TO LOWER SURFACES OF SAID FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF SAID SOLE PLATE BODY MEMBER, BRACE MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID BRACKETS AND INCLUDING AN ARCHED SHEET METAL MEMBER, WHEEL TRUCK ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING ACTION SCREWS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT AND REAR BRACKETS, SAID SOLE PLATE INCLUDING A FIRST SECTION INTEGRALLY JOINING A FORWARD END OF SAID SOLE PLATE BODY MEMBER ALONG A FIRST TRANSVERSE BEND LINE AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY THEREFROM AND A SECOND SECTION INTEGRALLY JOINING A LOWER END OF SAID FIRST SECTION ALONG A SECOND BEND LINE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST BEND LINE AND INCLINED UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY THEREFROM FOR PRESENTING A DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY FACING SURFACE, DOWNWARDLY EMBOSSED RIB MEANS FORMED IN SAID BODY MEMBER AND IN SAID FIRST SECTION AND TRAVERSING SAID FIRST BEND LINE, UPWARDLY EMBOSSED RIB MEANS IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS AND TRAVERSING SAID SECOND BEND LINE, A TOE STOP MEMBER ABUTTING SAID SURFACE OF SAID SECOND SECTION, MEANS RELEASABLY SECURING SAID TOE STOP MEMBER TO SAID SECOND SECTION, SAID FRONT MOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDING A DOWNWARDLY FACING BOSS HAVING APERTURE MEANS THEREIN RECEIVING THE ACTION SCREW OF ONE OF SAID WHEEL TRUCK ASSEMBLIES, SAID BOSS BEING SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY REARWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST BEND LINE, SAID SOLE PLATE BODY MEMBER HAVING APERTURE MEANS THERETHROUGH LOCATED BETWEEN SAID FIRST BEND LINE AND SAID BOSS FOR ACCOMMODATING FASTENING DEVICES FOR SECURING A SHOE OR THE LIKE TO SAID SOLE PLATE, AND SAID SOLE PLATE INCLUDING DEPENDING FLANGES INTEGRAL WITH OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF SAID FORWARD PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER AND EXTENDING FROM IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID FIRST BEND LINE REARWARDLY BEYOND SAID APERTURE MEANS TO POINTS ADJACENT SAID BOSS AND TERMINATING SHORT OF THE REAR END OF THE BODY MEMBER. 